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Summer is almost upon us, which means some committees are planning class reunion events to take place in the next few weeks or months. This can be an exciting time, while also creating a little anxiety for many.

High school can be a great time in our lives, but also a challenging one. Thus, it's common for some people to want to leave it all in the past.

In reality, class reunions are great opportunities to reconnect with old friends, classmates and even teachers. You can catch up on what everyone has been doing over the past few years or decades. All told, there are far more reasons to attend your class reunion than to skip it.

Overcoming ‘reunion anxiety’

One of the most common reasons alumni cite for not attending their class reunions is anxiety. They may get wrapped up in the details of what they think a reunion is all about — instead of what it actually is. These are social events. You are there to see people with whom you haven’t been able to keep in touch. It's not about comparing salaries, cars, house sizes or job titles.

You can quell your anxiety by remembering the good things about a class reunion. You’ll get to see old friends, share new laughs, expand your personal and professional networks and have a good time while you’re there.

You've got a story to tell

A class reunion is also an open door to future possibilities. You might end up sharing coffee a week later with a friend you haven't seen in years. Or, you could find yourself with a job prospect after networking with someone in the same field as yours. A reunion allows for ongoing interactions — even if it’s just friending someone on Facebook or adding a classmate to your LinkedIn network.

One of the very best things about attending your reunion is listening to all the great stories. There will be people there you knew years ago and who have had their own life experiences. They may be completely different or exactly the same as you remembered.

If you’ve been curious about what happened to that classmate from social studies or wonder what careers other graduates have gone into, we encourage you to attend your next class reunion. When that invitation comes in the mail or hits your inbox, take a moment to reflect on all of the positive reasons to RSVP “yes.”